~The World Through Holly Berry's Eyes~

It's the Year of the Dragon!

2012-01-23T16:18:00.000+01:00

Gong Xi Fa Ca!

It is the traditional greeting meaning “wishing you prosperity”

Happy Chinese New Year to all of you!

Have been putting together several dishes
to enjoy for our Chinese dinner.

Store shelves during trucker strike

2012-01-23T05:52:00.003+01:00

Cold shelves in a local store ... trucker strike is having quite an effect.

Gas lines during trucker strike

2012-01-22T21:40:00.000+01:00

A friend waiting for gas during this week's trucker's strike .... DH and I heard a rumor last night that a gas station (not the station in this picture) we go past most days got a delivery last night and was going to open at 7:00am this morning (he's normally not open on Sundays). So we were up and on our way by 5:30am to sit outside his station and see if the rumor was true. Another friend joined us in line ... and a few others that drove by joined the line as well. It was TRUE!! At 7am, he opened -- there were only about 5 cars in line at that point .. but everyone started calling to let others know gas was available. The attendant said he got about 2000 liters of gasoline last night ... DH heard this afternoon that the station we gassed up was empty by 9am.

Another side of Indy ....

2012-01-08T15:50:00.000+01:00

Indy doesn't cope well with loud noises ...

there were either thunder or fireworks outside ...

here she is burrowing into DH's side

pop ... fizz ... oh ... ah ...

2012-01-08T15:42:00.000+01:00

The fireworks DH bought to welcome in New Year's ...

a friend had a potluck and several of the guys brought fireworks to share.

My favorites are the chrystanum ones.

Making Jalapeno Poppers

2012-01-02T17:38:00.000+01:00

DH making jalenpeno poppers to take to a friend's for New Year's potluck and fireworks.

Ho Ho Ho in Nuremburg

2011-12-25T11:40:00.000+01:00

Santa and Rudolph DH and I saw while visiting this year's

Nuremburg Christmas Market.

He gave candy to the kids whether or not he was given money.

DH and I stopped by to see him everyday we were in town.

Ho Ho Ho ... Merry Christmas everyone.

Buon Natale, Auguri and Happy New Year!

easy-peasy hummus and pita chips

2011-12-23T19:01:00.000+01:00

Not a clue where I picked up this recipe, I've tried a bunch over the years since living in Bahrain.
Have made this recipe a few times .... and I think it's wonderful!! It's a keeper in my house!
Dip can be made and refrigerated 5-days ahead and the chips can be kept in a resealable bag for about a week. Neither one lasts that long in our home.
This is one of the things I'm taking this to a friend's home for a Christmas day potluck.

Dip:
1 lemon
1 (15-oz) can of chickpeas, rinsed and drained
1/4-cup tahini
2 cloves of garlic, minced
1 teas. vegetable oil
1/2-teas. ground cumin
1/8-teas. cayenne pepper
1/4-teas. salt
1/4-cup water
olive oil and chopped parsley for garnish

Pita chips:
6 pita bread rounds
1/4-cup olive oil
garlic salt (I generally use a little garlic powder and kosher salt ...salt is a must, the chips are really bland without some type of salt)
pepper
2 TB dried herbs such as basil or oregano (my personal favorite is basil)

To make the dip:
Squeeze the lemon and put 1/4-cup of the juice into a blender or food processor. Use any leftover juice however you please.

Add everything else other than the garnish ingredients in with the lemon juice and process until smooth; pausing when necessary to scrape down the sides with a spatula.

Put the hummus in a small bowl or shallow platter and drizzle with oilive oil. Sprinkle with parsley. It can sit at room temperature for up to four hours.

To make the chips:
Heat oven to 400-degrees.

Cut the pita rounds into 6-wedges and then separate each wedges into two pieces.
Can use small cookie cutters instead of cutting into wedges if you want the chips to be fancy.

Arrange the pita pieces on two baking sheets. Brush the tops with olive oil, then sprinke with some garlic salt, pepper and dried herbs.

Bake the chips for about 7-minutes or until lightly browned. Rotating trays halfway through the baking.
Cool the chips.

Leftover chips can be stored for up to a week in a resealable bag (ours never last that long).

Santa Pup

2011-12-19T22:17:00.000+01:00

Santa Pup DH and I saw while visiting Mineo

(a hill town about an hour from where we live)

GIGGLE AND THE GOATS

2011-12-15T01:48:00.004+01:00

A friend sent this to me last year ... I think it's adorable!

Street view

2011-12-09T23:10:00.000+01:00

Looking out of the window from my doctor's office ...

Keeping the mice away?

2011-12-02T11:24:00.000+01:00

I have missed you all! Computer and camera both went wonky ... and work, well .. let's just say that work has been challenging.

Didn't have much time to surf the web -did get lots done around home.

When the weather started getting colder here (this was taken in October or so), DH and I moved our cilantro and jalapeno pepper pot from the terrace into the kitchen.

The colder weather also means cold floors ... so Indy has a few towels around so she can nap in comfort in sunshine.

We've used up all the cilantro .. but still have a few jalapenos to use soon ... and then I'll move the pot back outside until next spring.

Smiles!

2011-09-24T12:54:00.000+02:00

DH and I saw this at the market ... I smile when I look at it!

Jester at Medieval Festival

2011-09-19T15:20:00.000+02:00

Three more clips of the jester ...

even not understanding Italian, I think he's fun to watch.

10 years ago the world changed ...

2011-09-11T11:35:00.000+02:00

and it changed for everyone ... not just Americans. So many people died ... of all nationalities and faiths. So many innocents ... who had so much still to give in their lives ... who just happened to be in the wrong place when a few people wanted to make a statement. I still know where I was when I heard about the twin towers ... probably most of you can as well. I watched way too much TV and listened to way too much radio when it was happening ... and for days afterward... until I finally had to turn them both off to save my sanity.   It was painful then.... and today, 10 years later... it is still painful.    DH had worked for a man who was killed in the Pentagon ... Jack had recently retired and was looking forward to life with grandchildren and experiences with his wife that they had put off due to his military career.

I don't blame Islam as a whole ... it was a small group of people who were Islamic.  Most faiths have episodes in their history that are less than positive.   The Crusades and Inquistion pop to my mind immediately.

I'm not saying 9-11 was justified .... I'm saying the world changed and the whole of one faith can not be held at fault for the actions of a small group of their followers.   But for today ... my TV and radio will stay off ... I will work in my home and with my friends to bring beauty into the lives of those immediately around me.

Have a blessed day, my friends, where ever you happen to be.  I wish you joy and peace.

Holly

Say what???

2011-09-03T14:18:00.000+02:00

what of what???

Jester in Motta S.A.

2011-09-03T13:57:00.000+02:00

Recently Motta Sant'Anastasia (CT) Sicily had its annual Medieval Fest

and celebrations in honor of the town’s patron saint, Santa Anastasia.

This jester was a lead performer one night.

He's also a juggler and ventriloquist and a bunch more all rolled in one.

He was a riot to watch!

Hurting kitty

2011-09-03T13:46:00.000+02:00

Indy had her annual physical first thing in the morning on the 24th ...

DH took her to the vet on his way in to work (he got in around 10) -

I took her back home again at lunch.

She was out of her mini-carrier during the hour she was with me ..

she wasn't happy the vet poked, prodded and stuck her with a needle.

Poor baby....

Frying gnocchi??

2011-08-21T10:29:00.000+02:00

Sometimes thinking outside the box just doesn't work ....

I thought this was a riot!

Etna erupts again

2011-08-07T11:20:00.001+02:00

Etna has been erupting off and on all year long ...

This was taken from the end of our street last Friday.

We live about a third of the way up the side of Etna....

the few lava overflows there are go down the other side of the mountain.

Gift for my son

2011-07-28T23:36:00.001+02:00

lava plaque my son asked us to get for him ...
ordered it about a year ago from a local lava carver...
got it a few months ago...
now have to figure out how to get it to him.

DS asked me to post the picture so he could see what it looks like...

St James candlelighting - Caltagirone

2011-07-25T14:41:00.000+02:00

This year's luminaria design on the Sta Maria steps
in Caltagirone for the St James Festival (24-25 July).

Made for a long day ... didn't get home until nearly 2 this morning.
We enjoyed the day even so.

Messina clock tower

2011-07-21T22:21:00.000+02:00

The astronomical clock is the most interesting component of the 60m high bell-tower on the left of the cathedral. The mechanism dating from 1933 was built in Strasbourg. There are several different displays built into the various levels of the tower. Each display has its own separate movement.

At the bottom, a two-horse chariot driven by a deity indicates the day of the week; above, the central figure of Death waves his scythe threateningly at the child, youth, soldier or old man – the four ages of man – that pass before him. At the third stage, the Sanctuary of Montalto (turn left to compare it with the real one) sets the scene for a group of figures which, according to the time of year, represent the Nativity, Epiphany, Resurrection and Pentecost. At the top, the tableau enacts a scene in a local legend where the Madonna gives a letter to the ambassadors of Messina in which she thanks and agrees to protect the inhabitants of the town who were converted to Christianity by St. Paul the Apostle. The Madonna della Lettera (Madonna of the Letter) is the patron saint of Messina.

The two young female bell-strikers are the local heroines Dina and Clarenza, who participated in the resistance against the Angevins (1282). The very top is capped with a lion who starts off the noon-time show with loud roars. The southern side of the bell-tower (going up from the bottom) has a perpetual calendar, the astronomical cycle with signs of the zodiac, and the phases of the moon. When the clock strikes midday, all the mechanical figures come to life while the music plays: the lion, symbol of the town, roars three times while the rooster crows from between the two girls.

Lots of fun to watch the show ... and people watch as well.

Yum ... roasted chicken!

2011-07-20T21:32:00.000+02:00

Generally roasted on a brace over a wood fire ...

DH and I could eat this just about daily.

Via Roma in Belpasso

2011-07-17T09:34:00.000+02:00

Looking up the main road in Belpasso toward the Mother Church (seen at the end of the road) ....
normally traffic is very light.

Traffic jam?

2011-07-16T09:15:00.000+02:00

Heading home one morning ....

Italian zodiac

2011-07-12T22:34:00.000+02:00

Miserably hot here the last few days ... DH picked up a pizza on the way home from the poker tournament.

The local pizza place has a new logo on their boxes.

Happy Fourth of July!

2011-07-04T04:18:00.001+02:00

“You have to love a nation that celebrates its Independence every July 4, not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle,

but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy, and the flies die from happiness. You may think you have overeaten, but it is patriotism."

Erma Bombeck

Happy Fourth from Holly and family!

Days gone by ,,,

2011-06-25T17:50:00.000+02:00

Been on holiday the last few weeks ....

came back and feels like we are in mid-summer here in Sicily!

This is from last fall ... the boy is wearing a folkloric outfit that was commonly worn 50 or more years ago.

Our landlady has a picture of her son in a similar suit.

Maletto's Strawberries

2011-06-08T12:58:00.000+02:00

The main street in Maletto during the Strawberry Festival ...

flag performers have finished one performance and are off to another.

Household tips

2011-06-05T21:32:00.000+02:00

Found these while purging a pile of papers ... not tried and true (yet) ....

To safely get rid of ants:

In a bowl, combine 1/2-cup molasses, 1/4-cup of sugar and 1/4-cup active dry yeast.
Pour an 1/8-inch of the mixture into shallow bowls or saucers and leave them on counters, in cupboards, under the refrigerator ... anywhere you have seen ants. The molasses and sugar will draw the ants in ...since they can't digest the yeast, they will die after eating the mixture.

To protect recipe cards from splatters:

Rub the surface with the flat end of a white candle. The wax will make the paper water-resistant and you can wipe away the food or grease before the stain sets.

Household wipes substitutes:

Layer coffee filters in a resealable container and add just enough multi-purpose cleaner to dampen each one. The filters will have the power of your favorite cleaner and since they have longer fibers than paper towels, they can stand up to more scrubbing than paper towels can.

I'm going to go try this one out now ... we use coffee filters when heating things in the microwave.

I do a quick wipe down of the bathroom most mornings just before leaving for work ... wiping out the sink, the window ledge, tub ledge and commode top takes just a minute or two ...while paper towels don't cost a lot of money ... filters are a heck of a lot cheaper. Had planned to get a dozen or so cheap wash cloths to keep pre-dampened with cleanser in a container on the window ledge ...this may work out a lot better.

Baby blankets

2011-06-02T14:52:00.000+02:00

Three of the baby blankets I have crocheted over the last two months ...

one of the volunteer activities I do with the

Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society.

When DH and I car-pool or go on road-trips, I generally crochet

most of the way. Nice de-stressing activity and I can still hold a conversation or check out the scenery.

Santa Workshop gifts

2011-06-02T07:20:00.000+02:00

One of the groups I volunteer with runs a Santa's Workshop for kids to get gifts for parents and siblings.
We collect items all year round from the local community and pull other items from our thrift shop (in new or excellent condition). Prices range from 25-cents to a dollar or two.

We often have a lack of male oriented gifts ...had these jars in the cupboard (originally planned to make "smelly jellies" for holiday open house gifts ... but haven't taken the time).

A bit of wrapping paper to cover the lid, stamp a tag and when December rolls around will fill the jars with peppermint candies or candy canes.

Carribean Chicken Jerk Wraps

2011-05-23T09:18:00.001+02:00

Found this recipe a few months ago on scribbit.blogspot.com (it was posted in July 2010).... finally tried it out this weekend.
We'll be making it again.
Skipped investing in either the nuts or the mint this time (thought about it until I saw what the store wanted for each) ... maybe next time.
The store only had marinade --so it was probably spicier than if we used the jerk sauce.

salt to taste (I didn't use any)
1/2-teas. cinnamon
1/2-teas. allspice
1/3-cup jerk sauce (liquid, not the dry spice)
1-1/2 lbs. of chicken, cooked and shredded (we had some leftover grilled chicken)
2-cups cooked rice
3/4-cup pineapple (the original post said fresh, I used canned crushed, well drained)
1/4-cup chopped macademia nuts (didn't have any, maybe next time)
3-TB. chopped fresh mint (skipped this time)
2-teas. lime juice (I just sprinkle a few drops of lime juice on each wrap as I made it)
4 10-inch flour tortillas for wraps

In a bowl mix the spices and jerk sauce together.
Warm the tortllas and spread the spiced jerk sauce evenly on each.
Top with warm cooked rice, warm shredded chicken.
Top with nuts, mint, lime juice.
Roll up like a burrito and serve immediately.

Holly's notes:
Our tortillas fell apart as we were eating them ...next time I think I'll put the sauce on top of the rice or heat the shredded chicken in it.
Makes a quick, filling meal that tastes great.
Since I could only find marinade -- the sauce was probably spicier than regular jerk sauce.

Display board

2011-05-22T23:01:00.004+02:00

Gathering up the stickers we've picked up over the years ...
used one of my sales boards from being a real estate sales agent for the base...got some plastic at the hardware store for the background.

We have more stickers somewhere...
and I have room to add more in the future.

Slow Food?

2011-05-16T23:13:00.001+02:00

Slow Food restaurants are quite popular here in Sicily ...
wonderful change from fast food

Pony walks?

2011-05-15T01:58:00.002+02:00

DH and I saw this while heading home ...
interesting way to exercise a horse.

Mother's Day card

2011-05-14T22:48:00.000+02:00

This is the card my son sent for Mother's Day this year ...

said this card expressed his feelings better than the grown-up cards did ...

love the Singapore stamps he used!

WWII Canadian Cemetary

2011-05-12T01:09:00.002+02:00

Small cementary near Triona (Catania province)

for Canadian soldiers and airmen of WW 2.

Private Sabblut was one of many lost during Operation Husky.

Lemon Doodle Cookies

2011-05-11T20:34:00.000+02:00

Recipe By : Land O Lakes Cookie Collection

Serving Size : 48

2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
3/4 cup coconut flakes
1 cup butter -- softened
2 eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons cream of tartar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon lemon peel -- grated

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a large mixer bowl, combine all ingredients.
Beat at low speed, scraping the bowl often, for 2 to 4 minutes until well mixed.
Drop rounded teaspoonfuls of dough 2 inches apart onto ungreased cookie sheets.
Bake for 7 to 10 minutes, or until the edges are lightly browned.
Remove from the pans immediately.

Holly's notes: I got this recipe from an E-friend in one of my Email groups.
I made these last Sunday ... and they didn't last long at all.
Keep an eye on them in the oven - they cook quick!
Especially if you make smaller ones like I did for the second batch.
I also greased the cookie sheets after the firt batch ...made it a bit easier to remove the cookies.

EASTER DAY PROCESSION

2011-05-04T01:08:00.002+02:00

Just wanted to show you some of the local Easter day celebration ....

Pasqua cake

2011-05-02T21:57:00.001+02:00

Giovanni and Carmela gave DH and I this Pasqua (Easter) cake ...

it's full of almonds and candied orange peel...the tastes of Sicily.

Yum!

When Easter Eggs Hatch

2011-04-24T00:10:00.000+02:00

Happy Easter everyone!

My son's comment ..."That's really messed up!"

Carmela's flowers

2011-04-17T22:48:00.001+02:00

Not a clue what this plant is ....but Carmela grows several on the front steps of our building.

The pods are about two inches long and the entire stalk is about two feet long. There are a bunch of the stalks on each plant and soon all of them will be covered with these pods.

Really good Orange Cake

2011-04-03T10:38:00.001+02:00

Made this cake from the new

Debbie Macomber Cedar Cove Cookbook ....it's wonderful!

Her recipe suggests topping it with a fresh orange juice-powder sugar glaze ....but I think it's perfect without a glaze.

Goes together quickly, not a lot of ingredients ....

longest hands-on part was beating the egg whites -

even that didn't take very long.

This one won't last long in our house!

Will be making it often .. while orange season lasts.

Candy Jars

2011-03-28T22:07:00.000+02:00

These are on a local bakery's counter - I really like the flow of the curves.

Early morning sun

2011-03-27T10:16:00.003+02:00

Went into work earlier than normal the morning after the time change ...got to see a sunrise

carnivale cookie

2011-03-25T22:18:00.002+01:00

This cookie was at a local bakery DH and I like ...

saw this one during this year's Carnivale period.

Welcome to Spring with a Supermoon

2011-03-20T20:59:00.002+01:00

Spring opened up on 19 March with a Supermoon which was a full moon only 221,565 miles away - the biggest and brightest full moon since 1993. The "supermoon" phenomenon occurred because the moon was in its full phase at at the closest point in its orbit to Earth.

All three of these photos are from our balcony -- I was surprised that my camera could get the seas and mountains of the moon as well as it did considering I do not have an expensive camera.

Dinner - Enchiladas and Rainbow Jello

2011-03-19T10:17:00.001+01:00

Dinner last night was Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas and Rainbow Jello. Had the enchilada recipe for several years and never tried it out (am finally purging my recipe folders) ...these are both keepers!
The Rainbow Jello is from Funky Polkadot Giraffe - I posted it the other day.

Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas

Jar of Tomatillo (green) salsa (original recipe included how to make this)

12 corn tortillas

2 TB vegetable oil

3 cups shredded cooked chicken (I used some rotissarie chicken we had)

1-1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

1-1/2 cups shredded monterey jack cheese

1/2 cup chopped onion

1/2 teas salt (I left this out since I used jarred salsa)

Lightly brush both sides of the tortillas with oil and stack them by 2's on a cookie sheet.

Heat in a 375-degree oven until soft and pliable ... about 3 or 4 minutes.

In a large bowl, combine chicken, half of each cheese, onion and salt.

Add 1/2-cup of the salsa to chicken mix and toss to combine.

Put a third of the salsa left on the bottom of a 13x9-inch baking dish.

Put 1/4 cup of the chicken mixture in each tortilla and roll up.

Put each filled tortilla seam down in the baking dish.

Pour the rest of the salsa over enchiladas and top with rest of cheeses.

Bake the enchiladas until the enchiladas are heated through and the cheeses are bubbly and beginning to brown ... mine took about 35 minutes.

We had the leftovers of the rainbow jello I took to my volunteer luncheon.

Rainbow Jello

2011-03-13T22:54:00.002+01:00

Found Rainbow Jello while poking around Funky Polkadot Giraffe a few days ago.
What a cool way to brighten up the doldrums of the end of winter!

Only had small packages of cherry and lemon jello in the house ... so made a mini-recipe.

Used half the jello for each layer ... it has evaporated sweetened milk mixed with Knox plain gelatin inbetween the layers.

Super easy to make .... just takes a bit of time waiting for each layer to set. DH and I ate all of it today ... like I said, it was a mini-batch.

Will pick up some more jello tomorrow and make a full-sized batch to take to a volunteer luncheon on Thursday.

Here's the link for the recipe ...
http://funkypolkadotgiraffe.blogspot.com/2011/02/happiness-rainbow-jell-o.html

Tutorial "How to let me how to let me reply to your Email"

2011-03-13T10:39:00.001+01:00

I love responding to all the comments I get on the blog.

Love it.

I like connecting with you.

However, sometimes when I hit {REPLY}

I get this sad little email address.

noreply-comment@blogger.com

And when that happens, I can't reply. Sad, sad days.

But I've found a cure for that!

Go over to House of Smith's

and Shelley will show you how to fix it.

Hooray!

http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/2011/01/tutorial-how-to-let-me-reply-to-your.html

Snow in Tucson??

2011-02-27T21:54:00.001+01:00

Saw this on the news ... it snowed yesterday in Tucson (Arizona) ...
middle of the desert .. the elevation is about 2400 -ft (713meters).

Really odd weather last year and this all around the world.

Spring's slowly coming ....

2011-02-27T21:31:00.004+01:00

Almond blossoms ... guess Spring really is coming to the island this year

It's cold inside and out!

2011-02-27T21:26:00.002+01:00

Check out what the cold inside the apt is doing to the Softsoap we have (local store isn't selling the aloe variety we used to get ... so we had to refill with another variety of Softsoap). The snow level two nights ago probably got to within a few hundred meters elevation of our place.

Spring is starting to arrive ...

2011-02-22T01:03:00.003+01:00

Saw this cactus flowering on our way home from work on Saturday ... Spring is slowing coming to the island

Sunny Sicily isn't

2011-02-21T21:47:00.001+01:00

This was taken around noon on Friday ...

Gallagher visits Sigonella

2011-02-18T21:43:00.002+01:00

Gallagher visited Sigonella this week -- I've never seen him before ... other than on TV.

He admits he's not politically correct ... and there were several comments made with uncomfortable phrasing.

He must get so tired of being covered in food debris ....

A Bit Late -- But It's the Year of the Rabbit!

2011-02-07T10:47:00.002+01:00

From Hong Kong banner

Got this banner during the Chinese New Year celebration in Hong Kong one year ...

From Hong Kong banner

Love the detail on the fish ... two fish represent double happiness

St Michael

2011-02-06T13:46:00.000+01:00

Statue of St. Michael on top the Mother Church in Piedemonte Etnea (northeast side of Etna).

What a Difference a Day Makes!

2011-02-03T21:55:00.002+01:00

This was what I saw when I left my office to go to lunch yesterday ...
double rainbow ... that was nice to see ...

This is what I saw this morning on my way to work ...

Snow level isn't too far up the mountain from our place ... no wonder that cat and I are both cold! Sure is pretty.

It's SuperBowl Time!

2011-01-30T20:43:00.002+01:00

While this isn't at the SuperBowl ... figure since the big game is less than a week away ... it counts.
Enjoy!

Terracotta chicken

2011-01-18T01:30:00.007+01:00

Terracotta chicken from 2010 Budapest Christkindl Market .... the artisan said it's for storing onions. Each chicken was a slightly different shape, had different designs and a unique facial expression. DH got it for me while on our Viking River Cruise on the Danube. Viking offered "fire sale" prices ... would have spent almost as much staying home.

Bear Bologna!

2011-01-17T14:41:00.001+01:00

Bear bologna found in a local super-market ....

I think it's cute!

Got some for DH to sample

Mt. Etna erupts!

2011-01-15T23:50:00.001+01:00

Found this on YouTube.

Mt Etna erupted a bit a few days ago ... a lot of ash spewed widely ... but only up near the vents were small rocks were tossed. DH, a co-worker and I drove up to the ski-lift area Thursday night ... the crunching sounds from our walking around sounded like we were walking on popcorn. We each brought home some pumice that we picked up from the roadways. Our landlady told us the next day (as she was sweeping ash off the sidewalks) that it was a "regalo di Etna" (a gift from Etna).

Monterosso in Ragusa

2011-01-02T22:05:00.001+01:00

CUTE CHRISTMAS ORNAMENT

2010-12-25T20:05:00.001+01:00

http://raisingolives.com/2009/12/domino-christmas-ornament-tutorial/

Found this link on FrugalUpstate.com ...have been wandering Raising Olives for the last few hours looking at the various posts.

If I can find some white dominos, I may make some to donate for next year's Santa Workshop.

Got to figure out how to share more pictures ..

2010-11-17T10:57:00.003+01:00

I've upload too many pictures between my two blogs ... so I have to figure out how to set it up so I can share more of my life ... will be back soon!

Holly

DAILY JOURNALING

2010-11-07T19:51:00.002+01:00

Spending most of my spare time putting the house in order - amazing the stuff that I have tossed and donated, as well as quite a bit that just needed to be put away. An E-friend sends this into the E-group we both belong to ...thought I would use it for today.

For Today...

Outside my door ... it was sunny-ish this morning, ended up as cold, rainy and windy by the time DH came home from golfing. He and a co-worker only got 9 holes in. DH said it wasn't the rain that was the problem, it was the clouds ... you couldn't see where your ball headed off to and you sure couldn't see the greens.

The cat ... Indy was curled up on the couch under a fluffy blanket sleeping most of the day ... kinda cute listening to her little kitty snores.

From the kitchen...cleaned out the fridge and made chicken and rice soup from the left-over roasted chicken DH brought home for dinner last night.

I am hearing...right now, DH and I are listening to "Cool Runnings". I really like the positive message of believe in yourself.

I am wearing...a tourist scrub shirt and fleecy pants - need socks, my feet are cold.

I am reading...a mushy romance "Wolf and Dove" as well as Debbie MacComber's "One Simple Act".

I am thinking... about my DS who is in Virginia for a week of schooling before heading off for his new command.

I am thankful for...the many blessings in my life.

I am hoping...the weather is nice next weekend when DH and I visit Rome.

I am creating... a mess? With tossing, purging and general putting-away, I have several bags of donations for the thrift shop and another of papers for recycling when I go to work tomorrow.

One of my favorite things... the part of "Cool Runnings" after the team crashes (sad about the crash itself) when the team carries the bobsled to the finish line.

A few plans for the rest of the week...have a doctor's appointment on Thursday and then off to Rome for a couple of days explorations.

IT'S FALL ..IT'S FESTIVAL SEASON!

2010-10-31T21:44:00.001+01:00

DH and I have been exploring local festivals the last few weeks ... lots of them going on this month. Here's a couple shots from Bronte (pistachios), Militello (prickly pears) and Zafferana Etnea (all sorts of produce grown on Mt Etna).

A car on display at Bronte that DH and a co-worker stopped to drool over ...

Street lights entering the town of Bronte ...

I'd rather eat the pistachios ... a window display on the main street of town ...

Beekeeper at Zafferana festival

Some of the items grown or produced on Mt Etna -
this is at Zafferana's festival

Prickly Pear liquor from Militello -
this area is famed for the prickly pears grown there

Always searching for love ...
this is just of the many balloon characters on display

DOORWAY IN MILITELLO

2010-10-27T09:38:00.004+02:00

I really enjoy looking at doorways and windows when outside the States .... so many wonderful details. DH and I saw this one in Militello while enjoying the Prickly Pear Festival.

IT'S THE SUN! NO, IT'S THE MOON!

2010-10-24T15:30:00.000+02:00

Terracotta sun DH and I found while exploring Ragusa Ibla.
It's good sized ... over a foot across when you go from ray tip to ray tip.

TACO SOUP

2010-10-18T00:12:00.001+02:00

After being gone to Naples the last four days, spent most of today catching up with laundry and making friends with Indy again (her nose was severely out of joint being left home alone all that time ...though I suspect she spent most of the time curled up sleeping in my bed). Tossed together Taco Soup for dinner and made some cornbread with diced green chiles to go along with it. This is one of DH and my favorite meals.

1 lb of lean ground beef

1/2 sweet yellow onion, diced
3-4 garlic cloves, minced
1 can of pinto beans, undrained
1 can of kidney beans, undrained
1 cup of frozen corn
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can Rotel tomatoes
1 4.5 oz can of diced green chilies (optional)
1package of ranch salad dressing mix
1 package taco seasoning
1 to 3 cups of water (depends on how brothy you want the soup)

Brown the ground beef in a pan. Add onion and garli and lightly brown. Mix everything else in and cook approximately 30 minutes ...though longer doesn't hurt. Have even made this in a crockpot.

I use whatever beans I have in the house and generally add a can of hominy to the mix. We like the tortilla-flavour the hominy adds to the soup. It's a pretty forgiving soup ... I've garnished it with any of the following: crumbled tortilla chips, shredded cheese, sour cream, freshly chopped tomatoes, sliced olives or green onions.

FOUND A CHICKEN IN A TUX

2010-10-17T23:53:00.001+02:00

Chicken pitchers are often given for housewarming gifts - to ensure safety from trepass and other dangers. A friend in Spain had several, one in a tuxedo. I liked the tuxedo'd one so much, I have been looking for one for myself since DH and I moved back to Sicily. Had a blue pitcher from our previous time in Sicily ... but the tuxedo'd chicken just had a lot of charm. Finally found one a few days ago while DH and I were up in Naples to attend an International Bazaar at the Joint Services Base. Hooray! Both of mine are about 8" tall .. but you can get them from just a few inches tall to over a foot-tall.

The legend behind the pitcher - is it true or merely legend? No one knows - but why tempt fate?

There were two wealthy families in the Republic of Florence in the early Renaissance period who were rivals for power. The Medici family held the power, but the Pazzi family wanted to grab it by killing the Medicis.

The Medicis, who had amassed their wealth by making peasants work their large land holdings, occasionally threw festivals for the peasants. Giuliano Medici especially liked the parties. So the Pazzis had someone suggest to Giuliano that he hold a festival in a village where one had never been held before.

The Pazzis then plotted to kill Giuliano and his guards at the end of the festival because they would be vulnerable from having drunk copious amounts of wine.

The Pazzis hired assassins, who probably would have succeeded except they had to sneak across a chicken yard to get to Giuliano. The chickens cackled in such a frenzy that it woke Giuliano and his guards, who caught and killed the assassins.

Giuliano was so excited that the chickens had warned him that he threw another festival the next night. He ordered artisans to create ceramic copies of chickens to be used as wine pitchers. Then he gave them to the peasants for good luck.

I AM MY OWN GRANDPA ???

2010-10-06T17:25:00.001+02:00

On one of my genealogy newsletters, there was a mention of this song from WW2. I looked it up on YouTube (found recordings by several people) and while the clip with Guy Lombardo was the clearest to listen to, I just liked the personality of this recording...even though it's a bit fuzzy.

IT'S FALL AND FESTIVAL TIME!

2010-10-05T22:47:00.001+02:00

Lots of festivals going on here in Sicily now. Last weekend, DH and I went to both a Pistachio festival in Bronte and another festival in Zafferana Etnea that will celebrate a different products every Sunday this month. Last Sunday, the focus was on grapes. Other Sundays will focus on chestnuts, mushrooms, honey, wine and apples.

Street lights in Bronte

Produce just picked this morning ... all kinds

In a Bronte butcher window -- just thought this was funny

Getting ready to spin the honey before bottling right in front of customers in Zafferana

WHAT A FUN AIRLINE SAFETY PRESENTATION!

2010-10-05T11:32:00.001+02:00

Suspect most everyone on this flight watched this safety presentation ....

JUST BECAUSE FLOWERS

2010-10-03T21:59:00.002+02:00

DH brought me "just because" flowers on Friday. I put them in a vase a friend from San Diego blew and have them in the living room where I can look at them frequently. They make the room smell really good. I am one lucky woman.

ROSE IN THE RAIN

2010-10-03T01:29:00.004+02:00

One of Carmela's (our landlady) roses after a rainshower the other day. She has more than a green thumb ... her whole body is green. She could make a dead stick come back to life.

RAINBOW BOATS AT THE OLD PORT

2010-10-02T23:39:00.000+02:00

DH and I were by the old port of Catania over the weekend ... it was still hot, but wonderful to feel the cooler breezes ... love how colorful these boats are.

AT LONG LAST .... GERMANY HAS CLEARED WWI DEBT

2010-09-30T00:08:00.003+02:00

It has taken 92 long years ....but Germany has reached its goal of completely paying the reparation bill from WWI.

When the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, Germany accepted blame for the war and agreed to pay 226 billion Reichsmarks, a sum that was later reduced in 1921 to 132 billion Reichsmarks. Part of the rationale for the large fine was to prevent Germany becoming a major power in Europe after WWI. Instead, the aftermath of the Treaty of Versailles ended up providing Hitler support for his views and his rise to power in the 1930s.

Up until 1952 Germany had paid some 1.5 billion Reichsmarks in war reparations to Allied countries. But in 1953 the balance was suspended pending a reunification of East and West Germany.

When the payments started back up again in 1990, it was publicised that everything would be paid off by 3 October 2010 .... and that goal has been reached with 4 days to spare.

If they can pay off their debt ... then the rest of us should be able to as well. I realize that there will always be extenuating circumstances that will pop up ... but for the most part, it can be done. Think of the freedom you would have if you didn't have to continually "live in the past" (spending your today money paying off bills from the past).

AMAZING HUBBLE TELESCOPE

2010-09-27T21:59:00.002+02:00

A dear friend shared this with me recently ... I found it thought provoking.

SINGAPORE TURKEY STEW

2010-09-17T23:48:00.005+02:00

Clearing out my recipe folders ..tossing ones that no longer sound appealing, trying others to see if they are keepers. Tonight I made SINGAPORE TURKEY STEW. Though the list of ingredients is long, it only took about 1/2 hour to make...mostly the making of the meatballs.

1-lb ground turkey

1/2 teaspoon Chinese five spice (or can use equal parts of ground cinnamon, ground cloves, ground ginger and ground anise ... I didn't have anise, so used a smidge of jerk seasoning)

1/2 teaspoon hot chili flakes

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 Tablespoons flour

1 Tablespoon oil

2 cloves of garlic, peeled and minced (in Spain, it is called a tooth of garlic)

1 Tablespoon grated fresh ginger (had part of a root in the frig from another recipe)

1 can (13 oz) coconut milk

1 can (14 oz) chicken broth

1 head (12 oz) bok choy, cut into 1-inch pieces (used Napa cabbage, next time I'll try spinach)

1 can (14 oz) baby corn, drained

2 Roma tomatoes, rinsed, cored and chopped (picked up a few cherry tomatoes at the Belpasso market today - used those)

1/4 cup drained canned sliced water chestnuts (will probably skip this next time or use jicama -- the ones I use had a metallic taste)

1/4 cup thinly sliced green onions

1 Tablespoon lime juice

3 Tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

In bowl, mix ground turkey, five spice, chili flakes and salt. Shape into 1-inch balls. Put flour on a plate and roll the meatballs in the flour to lightly coat them.

Pour oil in 4 or 5-quart non-stick pan over medium-high heat. Add meatballs in single layer. Cook turning frequently, until lightly brown all over and barely pink in the middle (I cut a couple open to check - mine took about 8 minutes to get cooked through). Remove from pan into a bowl and set aside for now.

Add garlic and ginger to pan and stir just until fragrant - 30 seconds or so. Add coconut milk, broth and meatballs; bring to a simmer. Adjust heat to maintain a simmer, cover and cook until meatballs are no longer pink in center - another 5 minutes or so.

Stir in bok choy, baby corn, tomatoes, water chestnuts, green onions and lime juice and cook, stirring often, until bok choy leaves are wilted and stems are slightly tender - another 5 minutes or so. Sprinkle with chopped cilantro leaves and eat!

4 servings. I don't know where I got this recipe from .. I copied it from something, but there is no page number on the sheet as if it came from a book, nor did I write a reference on the page anywhere ... normally I do that.

DH said he would like to have it again ...

SEAFOOD PASTA ON OUR DAY SAIL

2010-09-13T12:48:00.001+02:00

DH and I went on a day sail the other day ... it was a nice way to spend a warm day .... drifting along the coast, swimming in the (cold!) water, enjoying the breeze ...the crew provided lunch for us. Fresh seafood pasta! DH ate his share AND mine!

Catania and Mt Etna

Cyclops Rocks

He's turning blue! He's wrinkling up!
He's a blue raisin!

GRILLED EGGPLANT PARMA

2010-08-29T21:24:00.001+02:00

Had an eggplant left from our market trip the other day ... DH was grilling hamburgers....so tossed this together. Turned out fairly well. Will add more garlic next time and use fresh basil.

Slice eggplant and soak in salted water. Weigh down using a salad plate with cans on top so the slices are completely submerged. Drain and brush both sides with olive oil. Grill on both sides until done ... today, DH grilled them for about 5-8 minutes per side. When the first side was done, flip them over and grill until almost done. Top with a mixture of grated mozzarella and parmesan cheese, basil (all I had was dried, but fresh would have been much better) and some chopped garlic. Grill a few more minutes until the cheeses are melted.

THE MAN SONG

2010-08-28T20:17:00.001+02:00

A friend sent me this ... I think it's funny (definitely not how life is in our house) ... my husband ,,, well, let's just stay the jury's still out on that one...

MEDIEVAL FESTICAL IN MOTTA

2010-08-22T22:56:00.001+02:00

The Medieval Fest in Motta was held last week. DH and I checked it out for a couple of hours on Tuesday. Here is a clip of a dancing act held in the square in front of the castle at the top of town and another of one of the jousters. The jousting was held on one of the two main streets -- the town brought in a bunch of dirt to cover the surface and lined one side with hay bales so the horses weren't at risk of clipping the edge of the sidewalk. Lots of fun!

MOTTA AND THE MEDIEVAL FEST

2010-08-22T02:07:00.002+02:00

DH and I went over to Motta the beginning of the week to see the jousting and some of the other events.

Will post clips shortly ... but here are a few snapshots...

Two falcons -- the right-hand one is asleep
They did demostrations during the day

Banners over the main street to the castle

A window and ironwork in lower Motta

OOPS! SHCOOL??

2010-08-12T10:27:00.001+02:00

a freshly paved stretch of road near Southern Guilford High School in North Carolina -- sad to say, I've personally have seen other road markings with the same mistake in several other places.

HUNDRED GOALS

2010-08-10T13:19:00.002+02:00

Clearing out the in-box on one of my Email accounts - yes, I have multiples. One for famly and friends, one for work, one for my blogs, one for some E-groups I belong to and the last for the junk mail and other things that want an Email listed.

Found an link to a blog I sent myself months ago .. always meaning to check it out: 100 Goals @ http://hundredgoals.com/ -- so went and looked at it today. I really like how it is laid out and what Steven has to share.

DH and I have been working off and on over several years on a list of experiences we want to try and places we'd like to go. I've been working on decluttering and purging out the "stuff" that just doesn't mean anything to me any longer.

Hundredgoals re-enforces the concept.

RAGUSA LION

2010-08-01T10:40:00.001+02:00

DH and I took part in the WorldWidePhotoWalk in Ragusa Ibla on 24 July. This lion was one of a pair on a building bordering the Piazza Duomo. Until I could look at the picture blown up on my computer, I couldn't tell if the lion was sporting a mustache or a hair-lip. Love the crossed paws.

PORK PICCATA FOR DINNER

2010-07-31T20:52:00.002+02:00

Tried a new recipe last night ... other than reducing the amount of capers, it's a keeper.

1/2 pound of boneless pork loin, sliced into four pieces

1-1/2 TB whole wheat flour

3/4 teas lemon pepper

1 TB butter (I added a splash of olive oil as well)

2 TB red wine

2 TB lemon juice

2 TB capers (turned out saltier than we like, next time will use 2 teas)

Pound the pork slices thin, I used a small saucepan. Combine flour and lemon pepper; dredge pork slices on both sides. Melt butter over medium-high heat; quickly saute porking, turning once until golden brown, about 5 to 6 minutes. Add wine and lemon juice to skillet; and cook for at most two minutes (I added a splash of water, most of the wine-juice evaporated when it hit the pan). Remove pork and keep warm. Scrape all the browned bits off bottom of pan and cook for a couple more minutes until sauce thickens a bit. Add the capers and serve the sauce on top of each cutlet. Serves two.

AND I'LL RAISE YOU ....

2010-07-30T23:25:00.001+02:00

DH has been playing poker with friends the last few weeks ....

last night was probably the last game though.

BIRTHDAY BRANDY

2010-07-30T23:19:00.003+02:00

DH celebrated his birthday recently ... our landlords brought him a bottle of brandy and a tray of cookies.

Looks to be really good brandy ... but neither of us drinks.

Guess it will be used in Christmas cookies.

INDY IN HER KITTY-GRASS

2010-07-25T14:52:00.002+02:00

Indy napping in her kitty-grass.

She's a Spanish Siamese and not the normal sleek, aloof Siamese one normally thinks of. She likes people (after she gets to know you).

DID YOU KNOW SICILY HAS MAGNOLIA TREES?

2010-07-15T13:28:00.002+02:00

These are on the tree growing in our front yard ... it is at least thirty-feet tall. Took the second picture from our balcony. I didn't know magnolias grew in Sicily until we moved into our apartment.

With the heat here, most of the flowers are only lasting a day or so.

KATHY K'S TOMATO -- SMILES!

2010-07-14T14:26:00.002+02:00

Kathy sent a picture of this guy from her garden ... she just added the eyes and mouth. I like his curly hair!

PEEKS OF MALETTO'S STRAWBERRY FEST

2010-06-20T22:27:00.001+02:00

Top to bottom:

Overlooking the town of Maletto

Strawberry cannoli (Maletto is famous throughout Italy for its strawberries)

Looking up and down the main street (flag bearers going to the parade site)

Fresh strawberry cake (about 2-feet[0.6 meters]) across

Strawberry vendor

Freshly made gelato (even has strawberry seeds in it)

A pretty balcony I passed heading for the main festival area ...

Yup... summer is here!

I WISH YOU ENOUGH

2010-06-18T11:03:00.003+02:00

I have been clearing out old Emails recently and found this item which my son had sent me ... I am truly blessed by this wonderful man who is my son.

Recently I overheard a mother and daughter in their last moments together at the airport. They had announced the departure. Standing by the security gate, as they hugged, the mother said "I love you and I wish you enough."

The daughter replied, "Mom, our life together has been more than enough. Your love is all I ever needed.

I wish you enough, too, Mom."

They kissed and the daughter left. The mother walked over to the window where I was seated.

Standing there I could see she wanted and needed to cry. I tried not to intrude on her privacy but she welcomed me in by asking "Did you ever say good-bye to someone knowing it would be forever?"

"Yes, I have, " I replied "Forgive me for asking but why is this a forever good-bye?".

"I am old and she lives so far away. I have challenges ahead and the reality is - the next trip back will be for my funeral" she said.

"When you were saying good-bye, I heard you say 'I wish you enough'. May I ask what that means?"

She began to smile. "That's a wish that has been handed down from other generations. My parents used to say it to everyone". She paused a moment and looked up as if trying to remember it in detail and she smiled even more.

"When we said 'I wish you enough' we were wanting the other person to have a life filled with just enough good things to sustain them". Then turning toward me she shared the following as if she were reciting it from memory

“I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright.
I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun more.
I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive.
I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger.
I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye.”

She then began to cry and walked away.

It has been said it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them, but an entire life to forget them.

Please share this thought with those who have a place in your heart or your life....
If you don't send it to anyone it may mean that you are in such a hurry that you have forgotten your friends.

TAKE TIME TO LIVE ....
To all my friends and loved ones, I WISH YOU ENOUGH!!!

GO AHEAD, DRINK AND DRIVE ....

2010-06-15T12:00:00.001+02:00

Seems to me, that residents of many countries other than the U.S. are quite comfortable leaving a drink that may have been barely touched on the table .... the drink is a relatively minor part of the main activity which is spending time with friends and acquaintances.

Many Americans, on the other hand, will finish the drink off when they leave, even if they are going to another place and can get another drink there ... the mentality being "don't want to let it go to waste" or "I spent good money on that".

This pattern of thinking is part of the reason behind signs like this ....

http://www.burbia.com/node/4354